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Croda da Lago Circuit

Dolomites,  Italy

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Walkopedia rating88
(Top 100)
Beauty
33
Natural interest
 16
Human interest
 6
Charisma
 33
Negative points
 (0)
Total rating
 88

 Vital statistics

Length:
13km
 
5hrs
Maximum Altitude: 2,462m
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous

Key information: Croda da Lago Circuit

  • This is a tiring but almost perfect day walk around the spiny crest of the Croda da Lago massif.
  • Climb through beautiful open forest to a meltingly pretty lake, then cross high passes with magnificent views, descending back to the treeline down a wild, broken valley, beneath the stupendous cliffs of the Croda da Lago throughout.


Walk summary

The long, spectacular spine of the Croda da Lago in the central Dolomites can be circuited in this approaching-perfect day walk.

 

The first hour or so is in beautiful open mixed forest below Passo Giau, reaching a giddy clifftop with magnificent views across the Cortina valley and up to the La Tofana and Nuvolau features.

 

The trail then winds below the cliffs, through a beautiful rough meadow, then above the ravishing Lago Federa with its tree-capped boulder islands, which when we were there in mid June still reflected, in its placid waters, big snow piles in the gulleys at the cliff bases.

 

From the superbly sited Rifugio Palmeri (views across high pasture to the spire of Beco de Mezodi and back over the lakes, and perhaps the best hot chocolate ever?), the trail winds steadily and delightfully to the high Forcella Ambrizzola pass.

 

It now turns north, tracking the Crodas western flank to the high point at Forcella Rossa di Firmin, with its wonderous views over to the Pelmo, arguably the Dolomites most splendid massif, then descending a wild, wild, rocky valley back to the treeline.

 

This walk is well described in Cicerones Shorter Walks in the Dolomites. A longer version of this walk could be made from Passo Giau, or it could be linked with walking on to the Citta di Fiume refuge under the Pelmo.

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Practical information for walking in Dolomites, Italy, Croda da Lago Circuit

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Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.

Responsible travel matters, a lot. How you travel will make a real difference - for better or worse. PLEASE consider this when making plans. Read more